Arbaney Pool: Next Steps! Scroll down...

UPDATE: At the July 14th Council Session, Council unanimously approved that projects proposed in the 2020 and 2021 budget cycle (initial phase) go out to bid.

Big things we learned from the May 2020 Pool Survey*

SHORT ON TIME? Click here to skip to July Survey (starting July 17th)

1. Excitement about the improvements shown on the plan.**

2. Need for shade - shade - shade.

3. Concern about losing the Concessions Stand.** (Its location was being replaced with the family-friendly changing rooms.)

4. Mixed input about the hot tub; some explicitly wanted one and some did not think it should be added.

5. Reducing climate impacts from the pool is important.

6. Request for activities for older kids and teens.

7. Request that the swim season not be impacted by construction.

8. Desire to see improvements sooner.

9. Concern that the improvements could lead to higher pool fees for individuals and families.

* Other themes included pool operations which were passed on to Town Administrators and are not addressed here.

** Overall, but not unanimous. Some disagreement.

Click HERE to view the summary results (will download as PDF). Click HERE to view detailed results (will download as XLS).

What did the Consultant Team and POST do with the results of the survey?

1. Moved the shade structures to the initial phase.

2. Combined proposed improvements for 2020 and 2021 into the initial phase of work that goes out for bid.

3. Held off on removing the concessions stand; moved family-friendly changing rooms to 2022 to provide time to consider alternatives for the concessions stand.

4. Added furniture to the initial phase (2021).

5. Removed the bubble/circle theme from the fencing. Researching other options for privacy.

Information on Robot Pool

The proposed plan replaces the existing kiddie pool, which is 1-2 feet deep, with the larger Robot Pool (0-2 feet deep). The current kiddie pool is not code compliant because it does not have a zero-depth entry. The Robot Pool was designed as a place where babies and toddlers could first put their face in water, learn to be comfortable and not afraid, and with slides and pop jets, ultimately play. With a zero entry, the little ones could work their way into deeper water as they grow in comfort. It was also designed with shade over it so families could comfortably hang out together. The Connect One design team looked at several pool options and presented two to POST. Click HERE to download the POST presentation slide detailing the two options. The Robot Pool was selected as the most fun and appropriate option for Basalt.

Information on Hot Tub

The October Let’s Talk open comments and an independently done survey with Basalt Elementary and High School students indicated a hot tub as a desired amenity. Thus, a hot tub location was shown in the proposed improvements plan presented to Council on June 9th (see video in sidebar).

We would like to acknowledge all the comments both in support and in opposition to the addition of a hot tub in the current phasing plan and thank the community for its feedback. For the following considerations, expressed by the POST committee and the Green Team, the addition of a hot tub is not included in the current four-year phasing plan:

• In responding to the Town Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, improvements should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the two existing pools (lap and kiddie pools).
• Another goal of the project is to maintain or lower current operation levels associated with water use, staff time, energy, and money. The Town of Basalt Recreation Director advised that a community hot tub will require more ongoing maintenance than the two existing pools. It would need to be emptied and refilled at least once a month (~3,000 gallons) which includes scrubbing, reheating, and chemically-balancing to ensure community health.
• The Arbaney Pool is a small neighborhood community pool with limited space to add many additional amenities for all the various user groups. The group believes if a regional pool with expanded amenities is desired, it could potentially be considered for Crown Mountain Park.
• The Town goal is to pay for improvements without a tax question or a mandate to increase day-use fees to pay for improvements or increased utility bills. Improvements were designed with the goal of using Town revenue restricted for these types of uses, keeping steady or possibly lowering maintenance costs as mentioned above, and phasing improvements to line up with incoming Town revenues. (Please note – nothing here guarantees that pool fees will not be increased.)

Click HERE to download what was presented to the Basalt Town Council on June 9th. Based on feedback from the community, committees and Council, the above detailed changes have been made since the June 9th packet.

Next Steps: We have prepared a short survey to clarify a few issues from the May survey. Your responses will help the Town refine the Phasing Plan.

The Team encourages you to fill out the survey as it provides us the ability to best tally the information and have everyone respond to the same questions. If you have previously registered and forgotten your password, click here. However, if registering is a barrier to your participation – please send a request to LetsTalk@basalt.net to receive the survey in an alternative format.